Green Pond Harriman Late Fall

Harriman State Park
Orange Co, NY

Hiking Trails:
White Bar Trail: White blaze
Dunning Trail: Yellow blaze
Island Pond Woods Road: Unblazed

Total Time: 1:20
Estimated Distance: 2.8 miles

Pros: Quiet scenic area
Cons: None
Hike Type: Out and back
Level of Difficulty: Figue 8 Loop

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/HtuExHDEghmKXfcV9

It was late fall and the weather was colder than usual, with heavy winds. In fact I found out after that the area was under a high wind advisory. I had meant to go on a longer hike and visit the Boston Mine, but due to the uncomfortable wind conditions I opted to make the hike shorter.

Green Pond is a very scenic area of the park. It's in a remote, quiet part, and is a small, natural lake surrounded by foxtail phragmites. Over the ridge to the west of Green Pond is a nice view facing West towards Sterling Forest. 

I parked on Kanwauke Road at the White Bar Trailhead, and took the trail north to the Dunning Trail. The Dunning Trail goes alongside the northern and western flank of Green Pond, with rocky overlooks and an interesting rock overhang. The trail then climbs up the western ridge and ends at the White Bar Trail, which has been parallel. I took the White Bar Trail a short distance north to the overlook, and then took the White Trail back on its parallel route to the Dunning Trail to Island Pond Road. Island Pond Road is a woods road that ends right near Kanawauke Road when its connects with the White Bar Trail. I then continued along the White Bar Trail back to my car at the trailhead.

Map of the Route

Hunting Information for the New Hunting Policy in the Park

Map Route at the Trailhead

Greenery on White Bar Trail

Green Pond

View Near Valley of Boulders

Hemlock and Rhododendrons on Island Pond Road

Black Rock Mountain & Surebridge Mountain

Harriman State Park
Orange Co.
New York

Hiking Trails:
Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail: Red blaze
Dunning Trail: Yellow blaze
White Bar Trail: White blaze
Nurian Trail: White blaze

Total Time: 2:45 hour
Estimated Distance: 4.1 Miles

Pros: Good views, very scenic part of park
Cons: None
Hike Type: Lollipop Loop
Level of Difficulty: Slightly difficult

Google Maps of Parking:
https://maps.app.goo.gl/vSSLZVHaEUL4KyMt8

Hiking Partners:
Yehudah Koblick
Jacob Baldinger

It was a hot and steamy summer day with very high humidity. It rained during the hike, making for wet and slippery conditions. We parked at Kanawauke Road at the trailhead at the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail, and took the trail north up Black Rock Mountain. On top of the mountain there is an excellent view, and then we continued along the ridge to the next view on the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail which faces north.

We then continued along the exposed rock areas, and passed the Bare Rocks Shelter. After that, we took the Dunning Trail to the west and then took a bushwhack along a route to the top of Surebridge Mountain. This view isn't on any official maps but it's a great view. We then turned around and met up again with the Dunning Trail, which we took to the White Bar Trail.

We then took the White Bar Trail to the Nurian Trail, climbing the mountain again from the western flank, and then at the top took the Ramapo-Dunderberg Trail down to our car. I slipped on wet rock near the end, injuring my arm and back in the process.

Map of the Route

Hazy View from Black Rock Mountain

Me with Jacob Baldinger

Highbush Blueberry 

Glacial Rocks near the Bald Rocks Shelter

Bald Rocks Shelter

Surebridge Mountain View

Me, Jacob, and Yehudah

Ascending back to Black Rock Mountain

Black Rock Mountain View on the Return View